Stimulatory Effects of Phyllanthus amarus Extract on the Growth Performance, Hematobiochemical Activity, Antioxidative Status and Immune Response of Clarias gariepinus.

This study investigated the antibacterial activity of Phyllanthus amarus extracts and its influence on the performance of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. The fish were fed diets containing 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0 g P. amarus methanol extract (PAE) / kg basal diet for 84 days. Thereafter, blood samples were collected for hematological and biochemical analyses. At the end of the 84-day feeding trial, fish were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila, after which immune response parameters were measured. The data obtained were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance at p<0.05. The results showed significant antibacterial activity of PAE against A. hydrophila, and its application at 0.5-1.5 g significantly promoted growth performance, with the highest at 1.0 g. Hematocrit, hemoglobin and lymphocytes were enhanced at 0.5-1.5 g PAE. All the fishes fed PAE-supplemented diets had lower concentrations of serum liver enzymes; while the values of creatinine, glucose and total bilirubin did not differ among the treatments. Glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, lysozyme, phagocytic and respiratory burst activities increased in all PAE-fortified treatments, with highest fish survival in 1.0 g PAE treatment. Therefore, the inclusion of 1.0 g Phyllanthus amarus extract is recommended as a dietary supplement for Clarias gariepinus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]